Sectional feed roller for woodworking machines



April 26,1927. 1,625,881

w. R. BUSS ET AL SECTIONAL FEED ROLLER FOR WOODWORKING MACHINES FiledJuly 21. 1924 u I i n l Tnuenfor Wendell RfBuss BL MIumeTfDiok flflor ggPatented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PAT ENT ()FFIQE.

WENDELL R. BUSS AND M. EVERETT DICK, OF HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TOBUSS MAGHINE W'ORKS, OF HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHXGAN.

SECTIONAL FEED ROLLER FOR VIOODWGRKING MACHINES.

Application filed Ju1y-21, 192 1.

This invention relates to feed rollers such as are used in certain typesof wood working machinery, particularly wood planers. Such rollsniusthave a certain capacity for automatic adjustment for differentthicknesses of lumber and unevenness'in thickness and at all times exertpressure against the lumber so as to drive the same through the machineto the knives operating on the same. is a primary object and purpose ofthe present invention to make a feed roller which is capable ofattaining the above named results in a better and more efficient mannerthan heretofore, one which is durable and which will not get out oforder in service, and one which is particularly efficient and practicalin all respects for the accomplishment of the ends desired. Theconstruction which we have devised therefor is fully illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in Which,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the feed roller.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section therethrough,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one section of the feed roller, with aportion broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the inner drive sections of thefeed roller, one being used for each outer section and keyed on thedriving shaft, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the separator plates used betweeneach unit of the feed roller.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures ofthe drawin The shaft 1 is a driving shaft which is driven in anysuitable manner in the machine to which the invention is applied. On it.a plurality of driving sections are mounted, each including a sleeve 2adapted to pass over the shaft and a key 1" located lengthwise thereof,so that the said driving sections are positively driven with therotation of the shaft. A plurality of fingers 3 are formed integrallywith the sleeve and extend outwardly therefrom, each on one side beingprovided with a projection 4 as shown, the purpose of which will laterapear.

Around each of the driving sections, a roll section 5 is placed, havingan outer curved surface longitudinally ribbed or corrugated forengagement with the surface of a board passed thereunder. Each rollSerial N0. 727,127.

section in the shape of a ring and from the inner sides thereof aplurality of lugs 6 project inwardly. At one side of thesection 5 andthe same side of each lug 6 a relatively thin web 7 extends toward theadjacent lug 6 nearly half way itl'iereto, against each lug 6 one'endofa coiledspring S bears the other end of which passes over the projectiondon the adjacent finger 3, as best shown in l ig. 3.

A circular plate 9 is located between each two adjacent units composedof inner driviug member and outer roll section, the plate having acentral opening 9* to pass shaft 1 and a key way for the passage of thekey 1, the plates turning with the shaft. This closes in the openingsfrom any possible contact with adjacent unit parts and insures theirperfect operation.

It will be noted that the lugs 6 are relatively thin and that. there isa relatively large space between each lug and the finger 8 whichcooperates therewith through the medium of the spring 8 interposedbetween. When the shaft 1 is driven in the direction indicated by thearrow in Fig. 3, there is a tendency to compress the spring 8, and thisforce tending to compress is transmitted to the lugs 6 with a resultantdriving of the associated roll section 5 in the same direction. If theboards passed under the roll sections located in alinementon the shaftare somewhat thicker than the distance between the lower sides of theroll sections and the table below, there is plenty of room to allow theupward movement of the roll sections and the passage of the boards between them and the table. This is true also if the boards are uneven inthickness or if there are any small projections thereon in which caseonly the roll sections in'unedh ately over the projections are elevated.There is also a wide range of movement, comparatively, between the rolland drive sections therefor and little or no liability that the fingers3 will ever come against the edges of the webs 7. This insures that asteady spring pressure is at all times exerted against the boards fedthrough under the feed roller and to automatically take care of anyirregularities in thickness of the boards.

The assembly of the roller is simple, the roll sections and drivesections therefor being placed over the shaft in the number required.The webs 7 011 any two adjacent roll sections houses one end of eachspring 8, leaving sulficient extending beyond to take care of anyordinary conditions arising in feeding the boards. And the sepa ratorplates 9 isolate the springs from engagement in contact with adjacentparts of other units. The individual driving sections for the rollsections are features of merit, pern'ii'tting ready repair at any timewithout having to throw away the entire driving inen'ibers for theentire assembly of feed roll sections. The construction is practical andefficient in every respect and has so proved in practice.

\Ve claim:

In combination, a shaft, a plurality of driving sections mounted inalinement with the shaft and on the same to rotate therewith, each ofsaid sections having a plurality of spaced apart outwardly iextendingfingers, a plurality of feed roll outer sections located one around eachdriving section, each of said outer sections havin a plurality ofinwardly extending space apart lugs and a web at one side extending fromeach lug part way to the next adjacent lug, a coiled spring hearing atone end against each finger and at the opposite end against a lug, theend of the s ring hearing against the lug lying alongsice of the webconnected therewith and circular plates keyed to the shaft and locatedbetween adjacent driving and feed roller sections, substanti ally asdescribed.

In testimony whereof we ailix our signatures.

VVENDELL R. BUSS. M. EVERETT DICK.

